"We promise according to our
hopes
and perform according to our fears."La
Rochefoucauld, 1613-1680

An ancient prophet once described a
future Utopian world where all manner of prey and predator would live in
peaceful coexistence under the leadership of a small child. Though I’m not
sure I grasp the full meaning or symbolism of this prophesy, I’m intrigued
by the notion of anything or anyone being led by a small child. Whether
or not this is what the prophet divined, I believe there is a practical
metaphor in this story. In a world where a lamb would feel safe in lying
down beside a lion the notion of fear, as we know it, would be
non-existent. In such a world—one in which fear does not exist—it would
be fitting for a child to serve as its leader. Why? For the simple reason
that fear, by and large, is a learned emotion that intensifies as we age.
The older we get the more fearful we become, thanks to that prized state
of being we call "experience" which teaches us to be cautious—which,
truth be told, is the adult way of saying fearful.

Don’t get me wrong, there are certain
risks that are not worth taking. These you must decide for
yourself—avoiding those that fail your personal pleasure-versus-pain
test. But imagine what it would mean to live a life where courage was
a greater emotion than fear—a life in which you do the things you really
want to do rather than the things that are safe to do—a life where
decisions are made on the basis of wanting or not wanting to do something,
rather than having or not having the courage to do it. How would
freedom from fear change the choices you make? The places you go? The
fabric of your relationships? Your chosen career path? The hidden emotions
you allow others to see? Your outlook on life in general? Though a
fear-free life does not guarantee bliss, I have yet to meet anyone who can
honestly say their life is better because of their fears.

There is apparently no end to the
types of phobias that can possess humans—an apt word that paints a
picture of fear as an unwelcome parasite that takes up residence in your
inner being. Perhaps the reason it is so difficult to “rid yourself of
fear" is because Fear is in a battle to rid yourself of you!

Given the opportunity, fear can
destroy everything you love about life. Conversely, love, passion, and
zeal are the enemies of fear. For this reason, I am convinced that fear
is fundamentally a spiritual problem—since love, passion, and zeal are
matters of the heart rather than the head. No amount of “psyching yourself
up" can substitute for the kind of love that would compel you to enter a
burning house to save a child—yet, we hear stories of such “irrational
exuberance" almost every day. Love will always prevail over fear!

Here’s what I suggest. If you want to
overcome Fear, make friends with its natural enemies—not only love,
passion, and zeal, but also a constant remembrance of how you felt during
the times when you stood up to Fear and won. Fear hates defiance! Also,
recognize Fear for what it is—an unwelcome parasite that feasts on your
inner spirit. It is a force that can eventually destroy relationships,
deplete vitality, and literally cut you off from the outside world—that
big, "dangerous" place where "the forces of evil" are lurking in the
shadows—shadows that eventually grow darker as experience teaches
us to be ever more cautious.

Franklin Roosevelt was on to
something when he uttered those now-famous words, "We have nothing to fear
but fear itself." If you truly want to "overcome your fears" don’t
accept them as "your fears" in the first place. Furthermore, let
your life experiences teach you how to be brave, rather than cautious.
And, finally, remember to take control over Fear by giving it an unhealthy
dose of its own medicine. I promise you’ll be emboldened all the more as
you witness for yourself that Fear truly can be frightened away—and it
doesn’t require super-human will-power to do so!

― Lon Roberts

Click here if you wish to
comment on this message:

Click here if you wish to
read other messages:

— FREE Book
Preview —

We invite you to read and enjoy Lon's children's book titled,Where Do Magical Banjos Come From?

Click on the book cover below to read or
download the book.

If you enjoy the book we'd appreciate
letting us know.
Click
here to e-mail comments or suggestions.

This website is maintained through the
support of those who benefit from our services and information.
Secure contributions to the Pneuma Center may be made online by clicking
on the Donate button.